Premier League Transfer News and Rumours Wednesday 30 December

Rodriguez, Hernandez, Messi, Bamford. Wednesday’s Transfer Rumours

Manchester United are in talks with Real Madrid over a move for James Rodriguez, according to reports from Spain. However, any transfer is unlikely to happen until the summer. United are keeping tabs on Everton’s young midfielder Joe Williams. Full report here.

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is keen on Arsene Wenger to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez. Arsenal are being linked again with Anderlecht winger Andy Najar and Inter Milan’s Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic. More on those stories here.

Manchester City are being linked with the transfer of Real Madrid midfielder Isco. Reports from Spain claim that City chief executive Ferran Soriano is currently in Madrid for talks over a player who was formerly with Manuel Pellegrini’s old club Malaga. City striker Sergio Aguero believes it would be “very difficult” for the club to sign Lionel Messi because of the length of time he has been at Barcelona. Meanwhile, City have ruled out January transfer bids for Messi’s team-mate Neymar or for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.

Newcastle United are keen on CSKA Moscow midfielder Alan Dzagoev. The 25-year-old would cost around £10m.

Liverpool are being linked with a £4m bid for Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell. The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Championship side Huddersfield Town.

Tottenham Hotspur could offer Andros Townsend to West Bromwich Albion in exchange for striker Saido Berahino. The Baggies are in a ‘sell-before-you-can-buy’ transfer situation. However, Watford, Aston Villa and Newcastle are also being linked with Townsend who is valued by Spurs at £14m.

Tottenham are being linked with Barcelona’s 20-year-old forward Sandro with reports from Catalunya claiming Spurs will offer €12m (£8.9m).

Swansea City will sell Bafetimbi Gomis to Qatar side Lekhwiya for a transfer fee of £6.5m. The Swans want young Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford as his replacement. Bamford ended his loan spell at Crystal Palace earlier this week.

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel claims the atmosphere in the dressing room has improved since Guus Hiddink was appointed manager. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas is fighting for his future at the club. The midfielder missed Monday’s goalless draw with Manchester United but he was substituted at half-time during the Boxing Day draw at home to Watford. Chelsea have approached Juventus over the transfer of Paul Pogba. AC Milan are keen on Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic.

West Bromwich Albion striker Victor Anichebe has revealed he could quit the club in January. Anichebe made his first Premier League start in Monday’s victory over Newcastle but has been training with the rest of the club’s outcasts.

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says some of his players could be sold in the January transfer window. “Some players might not get another chance. They might be surplus to requirements.” Allardyce is hoping to bring in three new players mainly to shore up his side’s defence.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool look set to be beaten to the signature of Genoa central midfielder Rolando Mandragora. Juventus look set to sign the 18-year-old who is currently on loan at Serie B side Pescara.

Young Liverpool striker Jerome Sinclair is a transfer target for Manchester City. The 19-year-old is out of contract next summer.

Leicester City have made an enquiry about PSV Eindhoven defender Santiago Arias. Foxes’ striker Andrej Kramaric is a transfer target for Torino.

Norwich City are closing in on an £8m deal for Everton midfielder Steven Naismith. The Canaries have also offered £2.2m for Dinamo Zagreb defender Ivo Pinto.